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4.32 AVERAGE
4.32 AVERAGE
timeless classic - very recommendable read if you feel stuck in a world where everyone seems to be controlled by money and its connection to our precious time
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
An interesting allegory about the tension between being efficient and being in the moment. The story features a (presumably) orphan girl named Momo who is very good at just Being. Soon she has a cluster of friends who appreciate her for being very grounded and for being a good listener. However, this happiness is demolished when the Gray Men show up in town and entice people to be more efficient.
This is the sort of book I would have enjoyed more sometime between ages 15 and 25 when I was more interested in books that presented concepts and ideals--where characters represented a principle made flesh (such as dystopias). Now I like books where characters are conflicted and a lot more gray than black or white. Also, at times I felt as though Ende overexplained his allegory.
Nevertheless, I would recommend this as a critique of modernity and a critique of ambition / utilitarianism.
This is the sort of book I would have enjoyed more sometime between ages 15 and 25 when I was more interested in books that presented concepts and ideals--where characters represented a principle made flesh (such as dystopias). Now I like books where characters are conflicted and a lot more gray than black or white. Also, at times I felt as though Ende overexplained his allegory.
Nevertheless, I would recommend this as a critique of modernity and a critique of ambition / utilitarianism.
Almost feels like a dystopian novel..
adventurous
inspiring
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Ende's books have a dreamlike quality that is probably the main part of his appeal but it isn't really my kind of thing. Momo is more fairy tale and less character-based than The Never-Ending Story. The title character is a flawless good child whose ability that makes her beloved is 'listening' so she is a passive character with no particular personality. We meet her friends but since they do nothing and are just victims to be saved, they don't add a lot to the story. Really felt like there was set up here that was never paid off. I am creeped out that an adult male suggested one day he would marry Momo, a child. I liked the tortoise. Felt very true to what tortoises are like. Meanwhile, though the moralising is making a fair, anti-capitalist point, it is so heavy handed that the story mostly read like being shouted at from a soap box.
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
What radicalized you?
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Maravilloso. Todo el mundo deberÃa leerlo, cambiarÃan muchas cosas
While the main character of this story (which resembles a fable/fantasy with elements of magical realism) is a child, this is definitely a powerful story for all ages. It's particularly compelling in our modern society as we, like the characters in the tale, often act as though we are slaves to time, always working more, producing more, yet never having the time for what we say we really want.